Friday, December 11, 2009

InshaAllah this reaches you all in the best of health and Imaan, Ameen

We're 3 sisters who run a forum called Muslimahs United. This forum was set up 2 years ago and our aim is for sisters to learn and benefit from each other about Islam, life in general, gain friends, socialise and be there for each other through thick and thin, InshaAllah

We welcome everyone to the site, regardless which path of Islam you're on and non-muslims, however Muslimahs United is based upon the aqeedah and manhaj of the Salafis Salih, which shall be respected at all times, InshaAllah

We have a few activities going on such as chat nights, competitions, quizzes, bookclub and many more, which have all been enjoyable, MashaAllah

Sunday, November 29, 2009

assalaam'aleykum dear readers,
due to unfortunate circumstances i haven't been able to post as often as i used to.
i will inshallah start again as soon as i get my laptop fixed soon.
i was checking through my past posts & have found irresponsible people posting spam comments on this blog. they are being deleted!!
spam comments are not welcomed at all thank you.
that's all for now...
eid mubarak (^-^)

Monday, November 9, 2009

It's the ninth century. Baghdad is the center of knowledge and civilization.

It's the ninth century, and Baqee Ibn Mukhlid, a Muslim from Spain, decides to travel to Baghdad to seek the knowledge of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal.

And it being the ninth century, Baqee obviously did not hop on a plane and arrive at his destination within hours. It took a lot of time, effort, and determination to make journey.

But he embarked, left the comfort of his home, and made it to Baghdad. Yet rather than finding Imam Ibn Hambal at a mosque, happily teaching those who wanted to learn, Baqee was told that Imam Ibn Hanbal was under house arrest due to some controversy. The imam was prohibited from meeting people and banned from teaching.

At this point, Baqee could have become dejected and returned home, hoping Allah would reward him for his intention. Or he could have looked for someone else to learn from. But Baqee was determined.

He devised a plan to get the knowledge that he sought despite the circumstances. Baqee, with the undisclosed approval of Imam Ibn Hanbal, disguised himself as a beggar. Every day, he would knock on the door of Imam Ibn Hanbal's house. The imam would open the door, give him food, and along with that something Baqee considered much more precious: A hadeeth.

This method continued for more than a year, with Imam Ibn Hanbal giving him one to three ahadeeth every day, until Baqee returned to Spain, a learned scholar.

How far do we strive to gain knowledge?

With the tools we have now, it should be much easier to seek it. We don't have to cross oceans and disguise ourselves. The would almost really is at out fingertips. By just doing all the customary things we do, we should be able to amass a considerable trove of knowledge.

It's just that often our attitudes stop us from gaining all that we can. Going to school or attending a class has become dreaded. Reading a book to stimulate your thinking is a bore. Having an intelligent discussion is practically a social taboo.

But if we were to attend our classes with the same eagerness that Baqee showed, or visit a library to pick up a worthy book, or seek out the company of intelligent people so as to learn from them, or use the Internet for some actual research, we would gain so much more than we could imagine.

Allah, Exalted, famously stressed importance of knowledge with the very first verse He revealed in the Quran: "Read!".

And the Prophet (PBUH) said: "He who leaves his home in order to seek knowledge, he is in Allah's path until he returns (to his home)" Tirmithi).

And this is not strictly referring to religious knowledge, if you still call it that. These verses and ahadeeth do not just apply to memorizing the Quran, reading tafseer, and collecting ahadeeth.

Any kind of knowledge that is beneficial brings you closer to Allah. And it will help you in the Hereafter.

The Prophet (PBUH) said: "When the son of Adam dies, all his good deeds come to an end, except for three: Ongoing charity, knowledge from which people continue to benefit, and a righteous son who prays for him" (Bukhari and Muslim).

Also he said: "Let there be no envy, except in two things: A man whom Allah gave wealth and guided him to spend it in a righteous way, or a man to whom Allah gave wisdom who acts wisely and teaches it to others." (Bukhari and Muslim).

These two ahadeeth demonstrate the importance and high status of those who have knowledge, especially those who share it with others. In Islam, teachers are one of the most respected groups of people, and rightly so.

Consider the duaa we make in our salah, asking Allah to forgive us, our parents, and those who have taught us. Teachers are so high up on the list of people whom you should care about that they come right after parents in this duaa. And that is saying something.

And we cannot forget the story of Prophet Musa (PBUH). When he was asked about the most knowledgeable person of the time, Prophet Musa replied that it was him. This was definitely not out of arrogance, but out of a sincere belief that he was the most knowledgeable because he was a Messenger of Allah.

But Allah, Most High, told Musa (PBUH), that there was someone more knowledgeable than him, and he commanded Prophet Musa to go find him and seek his knowledge. And so Prophet Musa (PBUH), began his long journey to find Al-Khidhr and learn from him.

The story is laid out in Surah Al Kahf. From these ayahs, we see that once Prophet Musa found Al-Khidhr, he had to show his determination and sincerity to learn. Al-Khidhr was at first reluctant, telling Prophet Musa that he would not have enough patience, to which Prophet Musa replied that he would have patience, and would not disobey any of Al-Khidhr's commands.

How many students nowadays are humble in their learning? How many are earnest and show this kind of obedience? It is more often we seen an arrogant attitude, in which individuals are unwilling to admit they have less knowledge, and have no respect for scholars and teachers. And here we have a Messenger of Allah, a man with the highest possible status among men, humble enough to learn from another.

There are countless other verses and ahadeeth and stories and instances in the history of Islam that show how essential knowledge is. Look them up. Then ask yourself, are you exerting enough effort? Is it possible that the state of affairs of Muslims now is so poor due to a lack of proper education? Is it possible that we seek degrees just to be able to hang up a pretty sheet of paper declaring our achievements, rather than for the sake of the knowledge itself?

The answers to these questions may be a little scary. But we have to face them, and then we have to change them.

And we must ask Allah, the Transcendent, to help us, and say: "Oh my Lord, Increase me in knowledge". (20:114).

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The original meaning sawm is to be at rest. We give rest to the gastro-intestinal tract, the sexual organs, the tongue, the eyes and ears, etc. The transit time for a bolus of food from the mouth to the end of the large intestine, called colon, is about 14 hours. This is the period - of 14 hours - during which we fast and withhold any stimulus, reaching the stomach and the digestive system.

In fact, fasting is an additional safety device for the regenerative processes of the body. The repair processes of the body and the brain, including the memory molecules take place when the body is at rest, especially during the stage of deep sleep. Sleeping during Ramadan is much deeper than in other times. Two hours of sleep during Ramadan are more satisfying and refreshing than more hours of sleep otherwise.

Fasting significantly increases deep sleep and reduces the dreaming time, which takes place during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Therefore, it is more beneficial for the elderly to fast because their normal hours of deep sleep in the non-fasted state are much less.

Fasting is a divine prescription, because Allah Himself prescribed it in the Qur’an. Because the Islamic fast does not exceed 14 hours or so, the normal steady state of the body is maintained as a result of coordinated physiological mechanisms. Hence, nearly all the biochemical results in the laboratory are normal.

During fasting, serum magnesium is increased and…Magnesium has cardio-protective effects and it is being used in prevention and treatment of heart attacks.It has anti-platelet properties and prevents extension of the clot.It is a membrane stabilizer acting on the sodium/potassium/ calcium flux at the membrane level. Hence, it prevents cardiac and cerebral dysrhythmias.Fasting, through the beneficial effects of magnesium, prevents the formation of atheroma as well as dissolves atheromatous plaques which are responsible for heart attacks and strokes. Hence, fasting takes an active part in the rejuvenating processes of the body through many channels.It increases the fibrinolytic activity of the blood, which leads to prevention and also dissolution of any recent clot.

Ramadan puts a healthy mind into a healthy body. During fasting, there is increased secretion of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland.. It is an anabolic hormone for synthesis of proteins and collagen, which produces a positive nitrogen balance. It also stimulates erythropoiesis, as well as collagen synthesis.

During the exercise of fasting, prayers and different spiritual experiences of Ramadan, certain endogenous substances are released by the brain and spinal cord into the body called opioids, which include enkephalins and endorphins. These are responsible for euphoria, tranquility and serenity during such periods.

Endorphins and enkephalins are natural painkillers. Endorphins may be responsible for the "feel nice" effects, experienced by many people after rigorous exercise. Endorphins and enkephalins are derived from beta-lipotropin. On release, it is cleaved to form three major active products: called met-enkephalin, gamma-endorphin, and beta-endorphin.

Beta-endorphin is most active, and is about 20 times as potent as morphine. In addition to their painkilling properties, the narcotic analgesics cause a profound feeling of well-being (euphoria). It is this feeling that is in part responsible for the psychological drive of certain persons who are fasting. Other mechanisms reduce pain sensation by blocking the transmission of pain message to the brain.

To alter the pain sensation, the brain and spinal cord release specialized neurotransmitters called endorphins and enkephalins. These chemicals interfere with pain impulse transmission by occupying the nerve cell receptors, required to send the impulse across the synapse. By making the pain impulse travel less efficiently, endorphins and enkephalins can significantly lessen the perception of pain. In extreme circumstances, they can even make severe injuries nearly painless.

If an athlete is injured during the height of competition, or a soldier injured during a fight, or persons who are fasting, they may not realize they have been hurt, until after the stressful situation has ended! This happens because the brain produces abnormally high levels of endorphins or enkephalins, in periods of intense stress, excitement or fasting.

The Month of Rajab completed 30 days since the moon to commence the month of Sha'baan was not confirmed as being sighted after the sunset of the 29th day.

RAMADAAN 1430 (AH) - Next Month

The 29th of Sha'baan is Friday 21st August, 2009.Sighting should be done after sunset of this day.

The new moon (crescent) will be born on Thursday 20th August, 2009 at 6:02 am. Sunset on Friday 21st August, 2009 will be at 6:25 pm. At sunset of this day, the moon will be about 36 hours 23 minutes old and Muslims are reminded to look for the crescent to commence the month of Ramadaan 1430 AH.

If the moon is sighted then the 1st Taraaweeh would be performed on the night of Friday 21st August, 2009 and the 1st Fast would be on Saturday 22nd August, 2009.

If the moon is not sighted then Sha’baan would complete 30 days and the 1st Taraaweeh will be on the night of Saturday 22nd August, 2009 and the 1st Fast would be on Sunday 23rd August, 2009.

Enquiries of Sighting can be made at:Darul Uloom Trinidad and Tobago868-665-8868 / 868-665-1442

Saturday, August 15, 2009

A student studies hard for his final examinations, researching in libraries, practising past papers and revising his notes because he wants a university degree which will help advance his career.A businessman invests much of his time, energy and money into a commercial venture in the hope of large profits in the future. A farmer ploughs his land, sows it, waters it and tends it regularly in the hope of a good harvest. They all know that success does not come down on a plate but has to be achieved through hard work.

Man does certain things in life for certain results, and he avoids other acts because of their consequences. An adult will not put his hand into a naked flame because he knows that fire burns, but a child will do so as he is unaware of the consequences. The most important Belief and Knowledge that should dictate our actions is that Allah Almighty exists, that He is the Creator and Provider, and that none can benefit nor harm us except with His permission. If a person's Iman (faith) in Allah is firm and unyielding, he will be able to direct all his worship and obedience to Allah and will feel no fear of false deities or worldly powers.

Consider the encounter of Pharaoh's court magicians with Prophet Musa as described in the Quran. Before meeting the Prophet, they pleaded with Pharaoh for a substantial reward were they to defeat Musa in a duel using magic.

"So the sorcerers came to Pharaoh and said, 'Of course we shall have a suitable reward if we win.' " (Surah Al A'raaf 113)

Pharaoh accepted their plea and promised them not only a reward but also positions at court. When the encounter with Musa began, the magicians realised quickly that while their own display was simple magic, Musa's display was extraordinary and much more than any human could conjure up. So overawed were they by Musa's miracles that they all fell down in sajda saying,

"We believe in the Lord of the Worlds. The Lord of Musa and Harun." (Surah Ta Ha, 70)

Pharaoh was stunned by their declaration of faith in Allah and shouted:

"Have you believed in Him before I gave you permission? ..... Be sure, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and then I will crucify you on trunks of palm trees. So shall you know which of us can give the more severe and lasting punishment." (Surah Ta Ha, 71)

These threats did not frighten the magicians. These men who had just been begging Pharaoh for more gold coins now became so fearless because of their faith in Allah that they answered him back easily.

"Never shall we prefer you over the Clear Signs that have come to us and Him who has created us. So decree whatever you wish to decree. For you can only decree concerning the matters of this world. We have believed in our Lord; may He forgive us our faults and the magic to which you did compel us, for Allah is the Best and forever abiding." (Surah Ta Ha, 72-73)

Wasalam.

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The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I guarantee a house in the outskirts of Paradise to the one who forsakes argument even when he is in the right.” (Reported by Abu Dawood, 5/150; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1464).